Author Archives: friends@savehardysvale.com

A sketch map of Wessex is a priceless companion to Hardy’s masterpiece, Tess of the d’Urbervilles, says Roger Guttridge The BV magazine, October ‘22 Dorset Council – Thomas Hardy records  LOOKING BACK Thomas Hardy’s novels often come with a map of the writer’s Wessex, complete with all his renamed towns and villages. Far less well-knownContinue reading “The map that Hardy drew“

Our new research on food security finds that almost 14,500 hectares of England’s best agricultural land have been lost to development since 2010 – that’s enough land to grow 250,000 tonnes of vegetables a year! We’re calling on the government to introduce a land use strategy that protects prime farmland and safeguards our food security – read onContinue reading “We need a land use strategy”

National food security, protecting productive farmland and the countryside, the carbon benefit of offshore wind generation and more! Solar Farms and Battery Storage Volume 715: debated on Wednesday 8 June 2022 JUNE 8 2022 Download text 4.30pm James Gray  (North Wiltshire) (Con) Sharethis specific contribution I beg to move, That this House has considered planningContinue reading “Commons Solar Debate”

Ukraine crisis illustrates why we cannot offshore food production by Simon Hoare MP for North Dorset – From the New Blackmore Vale Magazine Friday 27th May 2022 This is heaven  As we all walk, cycle, ride and drive around stunning North Dorset and, indeed, the wider county, I fear we become less hit between theContinue reading “North Dorset – “Sheer loveliness””

Dorset Council’s Senior Landscape Officer concludes that she is unable to support the North Dairy Farm Solar Planning Application. Despite the developer proposing significant additions and revisions to the 2020 plans, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Council’s landscape professional experts have said they are unable to support the plans. Here is theContinue reading “Unable to support!”

Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when asked today (BBC ‘Sunday Morning’) about the Government’s proposals to address the current fuel crisis, said: “Offshore wind can be rolled out quickly”. When it comes to reducing global warming, wind is the big winner. The Carbon Intensity of wind generation (atContinue reading “‘Ministerial Statements’”

‘ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT’ It is nearly impossible to produce, transport, or consume energy without significant environmental impact. However, wind energy could have the least amount of contribution to climate change, compared to other electricity generators. ‘LOSS OF FARMLAND’ Solar power carries an upfront cost to the environment via production, but, like wind, offers clean energy throughoutContinue reading “Wind wins!”

Government response to and Consultation on the Glover Review of Landscapes – Overview and National Perspective Dorset CPRE welcomes the opportunity to input to the Government’s consultation on its response to the Glover Review of Landscapes. The Government consultation seeks views on how designated landscapes (National Parks and AONBs) can do even more to bringContinue reading “Dorset CPRE – Glover Review”

How is it possible for an experienced developer to choose an area of farmland that is so unsuitable for an industrial solar plant? Well, it seems their own site selection process and expert advisors may be partly to blame. An economically attractive view! The ‘Head of Energy’ for ‘British Solar Renewables’ explained the reasons forContinue reading “Right time? but wrong place!”

HAZELBURY PARISH COUNCIL WILL ONLY BACK THE SOLAR DEVELOPMENT IF IT IS REDUCED BY HALF The Parish Council decided that they will only support the 190-acre industrial development at North Dairy Farm if it is reduced in size by half. The developers have previously said that any significant reduction would make the proposal completely uneconomic.Continue reading “Hazelbury Parish”